Stan Zdonik
The Boston Bluegrass Union is saddened to report the passing of our dear colleague Stan Zdonik on 02/04/26. He was 79, and died due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Stan’s passion for bluegrass music was matched only by his generosity and vision. As a founder and the first President of the BBU, he dedicated fifty years to nurturing bluegrass in the Northeast, helping countless musicians and fans find a home in this music.
Our deep condolences go out to his wife, Gail Mitchell, his sons David and Jim, and the entire Zdonik family. Stan’s contributions to the bluegrass community are enormously significant, and he will be sorely missed.
In 1976, Stan was part of a small group of bluegrass lovers who founded the Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU), an all-volunteer non-profit organization formed to promote and preserve bluegrass music throughout the Northeast. Stan was the first President of the BBU and remained at the helm of the organization for over forty years.
The BBU’s first concert season began in 1976 with Stan as the talent scout and MC, and included concerts by Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys, Ted Lundy, Bob Paisley and the Southern Mountain Boys, Tasty Licks, Marie Rhines and Tony Rice, and Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals. In 1985, the BBU worked with the town of Waltham and other organizations to produce the Joe Val Benefit and Appreciation Day. Following Joe’s passing, the event continued to celebrate his legacy and evolved into a full weekend festival which continues to this day. This year marks the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival’s 40th anniversary. In 2006, the festival earned Event of the Year honors from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Through all these years, Stan served as the BBU’s talent buyer and lead MC.
Stan joined the IBMA in late 1980s and served on the IBMA Board of Directors as Vice Chairperson (2007-2010) and Chairperson (2010-2013). As IBMA Board Chair, he helped negotiate the move of the World of Bluegrass event from Nashville to Raleigh. Stan is a Lifetime Member of the IBMA. In 2021 Stan’s contributions to bluegrass were recognized by the IBMA with a Distinguished Achievement Award.
In 2025, Stan retired from teaching at Brown University. He came to Brown in 1983 after earning five degrees at MIT, culminating in a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Over the years, his research and teaching centered around Database Management Systems. As one of his colleagues at Brown remarked at Stan’s retirement “He/s brilliant at brainstorming, but what’s special is the enjoyment and life energy he gets out of thinking on his feet.”
In 2026, the BBU Board voted to honor Stan’s incredible contributions to the BBU and to th larger bluegrass community by changing the name of the BBU Heritage Industry Award to the Stan Zdonik Industry Award. Stan will be the first recipient of this award at this year’s Joe Val festival, in recognition of his foundational contributions over many years to the growth and success of the BBU as well as his long-term involvement with IBMA. The Boston Bluegrass Union would not be where it is today without Stan’s developing and curating so many relationships with national bands and industry leaders in virtually every aspect of the music, from performances to museum preservation of bluegrass traditions.
Join us in remembering Stan and celebrating his life and many contributions to bluegrass.
He will be missed.